Minnesota Wild at Los Angeles Kings Matchup

Two teams on winning streaks, the Minnesota Wild and the Los Angeles Kings meet at the Staples Center in a Western Conference tilt. The match will get going at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5 and it’ll be broadcasted live on NBC Sports Network.

Minnesota Wild vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds

Los Angeles (-140) is currently the favorite over Minnesota (+120), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-130 to bet the under, +110 for the over).
Netting moneyline bettors 4.0 units, the Kings are 17-11 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That win percentage, ranked second in the Pacific Division so far this season, is a welcome improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (39-43). Through 28 regular season outings, 16 of its games have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 7-7 SU at home this year.
Los Angeles has converted on just 16.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 28th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked first overall, and it’s successfully killed off 89.5 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Los Angeles has been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over its past five contests total, and 4.2 per game over its last five home outings. The teams had to defend opponent power plays for just 8.1 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 28.4 saves per game with a .930 save percentage, Jonathan Quick (13-9-1) has been the best option in goal for the Kings this season. If they, however, choose to give him the night off, Los Angeles could roll with Darcy Kuemper (4-4-4 record, .944 save percentage, 1.72 goals against average).
Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown will each spearhead the attack for the Kings. Kopitar (31 points) has tallied 14 goals and 17 assists and has recorded two or more points seven times this year. Brown has 11 goals and 12 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 14 contests.
Over on the other bench, Minnesota is 13-13 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 26 regular season contests, 14 of its games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the visiting team, Minnesota is 5-8 SU so far.
Minnesota has converted on 22.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.3 percent of all penalties.
Minnesota’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game this season, and 5.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties a whopping 14.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Devan Dubnyk (2.71 goals against average and .916 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Minnesota. Dubnyk is averaging 29.1 saves per game and has 11 wins, nine losses, and two overtime losses to his credit.
Eric Staal (10 goals, 13 assists) and Jason Zucker (13 goals, nine assists) have been standout playmakers for Minnesota and will lead the offensive attack for the visiting Wild.

Minnesota Wild at Los Angeles Kings Free Picks

Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Under

Betting Trends

The under has hit in four of Los Angeles last five outings.

Minnesota’s attempted 29.2 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 31st in the NHL), and 28.3 in its last 10 games.

The Wild are 7-8 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Kings are 7-4 SU when they spend more time in the box than their opponent.

Minnesota is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 2-0 in shootouts.

Los Angeles skaters have managed 3.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 5.1 takeaways per game (ranked 31st in the NHL).

Minnesota has averaged 5.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 6.4 takeaways per game (ranked 23rd in the league).